Past and Present of Fayette County Iowa
By George William Fitch, 1910 B. F. Bowman and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
Transcribed by Nancy Piper
CHAPTER 2 -
CHAPTER II
AN OUTLINE SKETCH OF IOWA HISTORY
Pages 38-67
We begin this article with an apology to the reader, for the reason that much apparently irrelevant matter must
be here introduced in order to lead up to the beginning of Iowa history.
It is known to even the casual reader of our country's history, that the aggressions of white peoples in the East
and Middle West gradually drove the aborigines from their habitations in those districts, and had a tendency to
centralize them farther to the westward.
For a long series of years the Indian nations were dominated either by the French or the English, and, in remote
instances, by the Spanish. At the beginning of the colonization period comparatively few of them were friendly
to the colonists.
Beginning with the first shots fired by George Washington's men in the Pennsylvania wilderness in I 754, there
was, practically, a continuous war for dominance in Europe and America for a period of sixty years. The contestants
sought the overthrow of ancient dynasties, or the establishment of republican governments. After American independence
was achieved, nominally at least, in 1783, the struggle was resumed in Europe, with France and England as the chief
antagonists. Then the problem for America was to restrain her sympathies for each of these powers, keep out of
the fight and strengthen her independence. Washington managed to hold down the French sympathizers, and Jefferson,
though leaning toward France, adopted a policy of coquetry toward the hostile nations, using the opportunities
of the situation to gain territory for the United States.
But when the rival powers attacked the great shipping interests of our country, with arbitrary edicts and confiscations,
Jefferson, with all his ability, was compelled to declare an embargo on ocean trade in retaliation. This ruined
the commerce all along the coast. Jefferson went out of office, leaving conditions which rendered war inevitable
and his country crippled so as to make the war promise humiliation. Madison, a man of less ability, could not cope
with the situation. The statesmen of his school rendered the country more unprepared for war by discontinuing the
United States Bank. Meanwhile a group of young men, like Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, carne to the front, demanding
war for American honor, to avenge the insults. and outrages committed by the French and English upon American shipping
and sailors. It was doubtful which country would be chosen as an antagonist, but the leanings of the party in power
were toward France as an ally. Furthermore, the British were not only oppressive at sea, but were accused of again
encouraging trouble among the Indians. When the American frigate "President" and the British- sloop "Little
Belt" turned their guns on each other in the Atlantic, and the Indians fell upon Harrison's camp in Indiana,
the country could no longer resist the cry for war with England.
During many months preceding the declaration of war, the Indians of the West, under the leadership of the renowned
chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, Ellskwatiwaw, the "Prophet," were organizing a confederation of all
the tribes for one last effort to annihilate their white enemies. This Shawanee prophet enlisted many followers
by his assumption that he possessed supernatural powers, representing himself to be the great "Manitou,"
or "second Adam," proclaiming himself the father of the English, the French, the Spaniards and the Indians,
but asserting that Americans were children of the Evil Spirit. His voluble harangue had the desired effect among
the Indians and an army of considerable strength was organized, among them the noted Black Hawk and his followers,
as well as braves from most of the
Iowa tribes of Indians.
The great Miami confederation, representing many tribes of the Algonquin, or primitive family, appear to have been
the principal occupants of northwestern Indiana. The particular branch of the Miamis best known in that region
were the Weas, or Ouitenons, though the Pottawattamies were next in strength and importance to the Miamis. This
tribe, and the Kickapoos, occupied the west bank of the Wabash river at a place later known as "Prophet's
Town." There were also various tribes of the Piankeshaws and Shawanees. In addition to these, there were representatives
of numerous western tribes from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Prominent among these were the Sacs and
Foxes, together with the noted chief among the former, Black Hawk. He had gained some notoriety among his people
as a warrior against the Osages and other neighboring tribes, and was a valued ally of the British during the war
of 1812, which soon followed the decisive battle of Tippecanoe. His pretext for bringing on the war which ended
in his entire defeat and overthrow, in 1832, was the treaty of St. Louis, made in 1804, wherein certain chiefs
of his tribe had ceded to the United States their lands on the east side of the Mississippi. But he was the victim
of a narrow prejudice and ill-will towards the Americans, which seems to have been engendered before he had any
knowledge of them or their character, and this ill-advised and hasty judgment seems to have been the ruling passion
of his life.
The home of Black Hawk and his followers was near the present site of Rock Island, Illinois, at the time the Indians
were called together by the Prophet for their final effort at Tippecanoe. The territory across the river was then
in full possession of the Indians, but the expedition of Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike, a United States officer, led to
the building of Fort Edwards, at the present site of Warsaw, Illinois, and Fort Madison, on the Iowa side, and
now the location of the city bearing that name. This latter was considered by Black Hawk and his people to be a
special violation of the terms of the treaty signed in 1804. While five chiefs of the Sac and Fox tribes had signed
a treaty with the United States, transferring all their interests in a strip of territory east of the Mississippi
and north of the Jefferson in Missouri, embracing an area of over fifty-one millions of acres, for a consideration
of two thousand, two hundred and thirty-four dollars in goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity of one thousand
dollars in goods, Black Hawk was greatly displeased and claimed that the chiefs acted without authority. It is
claimed by good American authority that the building of Fort Madison was a violation of the terms of the treaty
of 1804, article six, of that document, stating: "That if any citizen of the United States, or any other white
persons should form a settlement upon their lands, such intruders should forthwith be removed." Probably the
authorities of the United States did not regard the establishment of military posts as corning, strictly, within
the meaning of the word "settlement," as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison
within the territory reserved to the Indians, and this led to continuous trouble for many years.
Keokuk was another noted chief, but entirely different from Black Hawk in his attitude towards the Americans. He
was disposed to sanction the treaty of 1804 and to cultivate the friendship and good will of the Americans. Like
Black Hawk, he was descended from the Sac branch of the nation, and was born on Rock River in I 780. Keokuk's friendship
divided the Sacs and Faxes into the "war party" and the "peace party," as they were known.
He counseled peace on the grounds that it was useless to fight. His good sense and cool judgment enabled him to
discern the future and to recognize the strength of the Americans before compelled to witness it on the battle-field.
A portion of the Sacs and Faxes remained neutral, and were under command of Keokuk, while the belligerents, under
Black Hawk, joined the British.
Most of the Indian tribes concerned in the great battle of Tippecanoe have already been mentioned ; but there were
warriors from the Illinois, the Sioux, the Winnebagoes, the Osages, all from the region west of the Mississippi
river.
DECISIVE BATTLES.
The battle of Tippecanoe was the culmination of the labors of Tecumseh and the Prophet, in inciting the Indians
to a united warfare against the Americans. Much strategy was shown in effecting the organization and in the secrecy
with which the work was done, and good generalship was shown in the conduct of the battle. This occurred on the
7th of November, 1811, with Gen. William H. Harrison as commander of the American forces. It resulted in the complete
overthrow of the allied Indian forces and the opening of the gateway to the then little known Northwest. Up to
this time, the hostile Indians in northwestern Indiana and in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa had effectually blocked
the way of even the most aggressive frontiersmen. The effect of this victory over the Indians was more far-reaching
in character, and gave greater impetus to the settlement of the country, than any of the many Indian battles which
had preceded it. The battle was brought on prematurely, during the absence of Tecumseh in the South, otherwise
the result of the contest might have been different: To emphasize the importance which the United States government
and the state of Indiana attach to this final contest east of the Mississippi, it may be said, incidentally, that
the battle-field has been dedicated to the use of a public park, ornamented with imposing structures and consecrated
by the erection of tombstones over the graves of the fallen. As a final effort to establish its national importance,
they caused to be erected, at equal expense to each, an imposing monument to Gen. William Henry Harrison and inscribed
it with the names of all who fell on that field. Twenty-five thousand dollars was appropriated for this purpose,
the state and nation contributing equal amounts 6f this sum. The monument was dedicated in 1907, ninety-six years
after the date of the event which it commemorates. Representatives of the United States government and state of
Indiana were present on that occasion; likewise many descendants of the men w ho fell there, the majority of whom
were from the states of Indiana and Kentucky. Among the former was a great-grandson of General Harrison.
The decisive battle of the Thames, on the 6th of October, 1813, effectually closed hostilities in the Northwest,
although peace was not fully restored until July 22, 1814. On that date a treaty was signed at Greenville, between
General Harrison, as representative of the United States, and the various Indian tribes who could be diverted from
their allegiance to the British. The treaty of Ghent, on the 24th of December, following, brought peace between
the United States and Great Britain, and this was followed the next year by various treaties with Indian tribes
throughout the West and Northwest, and comparative quiet was again restored.
But we should not overlook the atrocious massacre at Fort Dearborn, as occurring about midway between the dates
of the two principal battles on the western borders of civilization by about five hundred warriors of the Pottawattamies
and Winnebagoes, acting under direction of the British General Proctor. The garrison, comprising fifty-four soldiers,
twelve civilians and a number of women and children, were attacked by five hundred bloodthirsty warriors, who were
enthused by the British promise of a bounty for every American scalp which they would bring to headquarters at
Malden. It is stated on good authority that this bounty was paid. Twenty-eight of the little party were taken prisoners,
all the others, including the wounded, having been slaughtered. Captain Heald was the commander of the garrison,
while the Indians were led by Blackbird, a Pottawattamie chief. This massacre occurred on the 16th of August, 1812.
BLACK HAWK.
To render our narrative consecutive, in its treatment of near-by Indian history, we must again refer to Black Hawk.
It will be remembered that this chieftain refused to recognize the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, and did not recognize
its validity until 1815, when the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi were first informed that peace had been
declared between the United States and Great Britain. From the time Black Hawk signed the treaty in 1816 until
the beginning of the Black Hawk war in 1832, he and his followers passed their time in the ordinary pursuits of
Indian life. Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sac and Fox Indians were urged to unite with the
Iowas and occupy the west bank of the Mississippi. All consented to do this except the remnant of the "British
Band," of which Black Hawk was the leader. He vigorously protested against the removal, and this, and various
actions on the part of the white settlers, provoked Black Hawk and his band, until they attempted to recapture
his native village, then in possession of the whites. The war followed. Black Hawk was undoubtedly misunderstood,
and had his wishes been considered at the beginning of this struggle much bloodshed would have been prevented and
equally as favorable results attained. But the beauty and fertility of the Indian lands incited lawless aggressions
upon the part of the whites. Returning to his native village on Rock River, to find his wigwams occupied by white
families, and his women and children homeless and shelterless on the banks of the river, was sufficient provocation
to incite them to war, especially as it was understood that the Indians were occupying those lands with the consent
of the United States government. It may be well to remark here that it was expressly stipulated in the treaty of
1804, to which the Indians attributed all their troubles, that the Indians should not be obliged to leave their
lands until they were sold by the United States, and it does not appear that they occupied any lands other than
those owned by the government. If this was true, the Indians had good cause for indignation and complaint. But
the whites, driven out in turn by the returning Indians, became so clamorous against what they termed encroachments
of the natives, that Governor Reynolds, of Illinois, ordered General Gaines to Rock Island with a military force
to drive the Indians from their homes to the west side of the Mississippi,
It is generally believed by old settlers in that locality, and is so recorded by some historians, that the Indian
traders incited Black Hawk to a violation of the terms of the treaty because the Indians were indebted to them,
and the traders took this method of getting their pay. It is well known that an Indian debt outlawed within one
year, and Black Hawk's people had been unfortunate in hunting; hence they had incurred heavy debts with their favorite
trader at Fort Armstrong (Rock Island). The wily trader knew that by encouraging the Indians to assume a hostile
attitude and recross the river in violation of the terms of the treaty, another treaty would soon follow and he
would be enabled to get the money due him.
After much parleying upon both sides of the controversy, and at least two efforts upon the part of Black Hawk to
bring about peace relations, the Black Hawk war was precipitated, and eventually the Indians were driven into Wisconsin
and practically annihilated. Black Hawk was captured by three Winnebago Indians and taken as a prisoner to Prairie
du Chien, thence to Jefferson Barracks and finally to Fortress Monroe. He was liberated on the 4th of June, 1833,
and, by order of the President, returned to his people in Iowa. His death occurred at the Des Moines reservation,
October 3, 1838.
THE BLACK HAWK PURCHASE
At the close of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, a treaty was made at a council held on the present site of Davenport,
on the 21st of September, 1832. Gen. Winfield Scott was there as the representative of the United States and Governor
Reynolds appeared for the state of Illinois. Keokuk and some thirty other chiefs and warriors of the Sac and Fox
nation appeared for their people. By the terms of this treaty, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a
strip of territory on the eastern border of Iowa, fifty miles wide, from the northern boundary of Missouri to the
mouth of the Upper Iowa river, and containing about six million acres. The eastern line of the purchase was parallel
with the Mississippi. The government stipulated to pay annually to the confederated tribes, for thirty consecutive
years, the sum of twenty thousand dollars in specie, and to pay the debts of the Indians at Rock Island, these
haying been accumulating for seventeen years, and then amounted to fifty thousand dollars, due to Davenport &
Farnham, Indian traders. But the government generously remembered the women and children of the braves who had
fallen in the Black Hawk -war, and distributed among them thirty five beef cattle, twelve bushels of salt, thirty
barrels of pork, fifty barrels of flour and six thousand bushels of corn.
This territory is known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," and though it was not the first territory ceded
to the United States by the Sacs and Foxes, it was the first opened to actual settlement. As soon as the Indian
title was extinguished, a resistless tide of emigration flowed across. the Mississippi to occupy "the Beautiful
Land."
By the terms of the Black Hawk purchase, there was reserved for the Sac and Fox Indians four hundred square miles
of land, situated on the Iowa river and including within its limits Keokuk's village, on the right bank of that
river. This tract was known as "Keokuk's Reserve," and was occupied by the Indians until September, 1836,
when by the terms of a treaty between them and Governor Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, it was ceded to the United
States. Besides the Keokuk Reserve, the government rewarded Antoine Le Claire, interpreter, with two sections of
land, one opposite Rock Island and the other at the head of the first rapids above the island on the Iowa side.
This was the first land title granted by the United States to an individual in Iowa.
Soon after the removal of the Sacs and Foxes to their new reservation on the Des Moines river, Gen. Joseph M. Street
was transferred from the agency of the Winnebagoes at Prairie du Chien and established an agency among the Sacs
and Foxes at a place now known as Agency City. There it was sought to "civilize" the Indians by teaching
them the customs of the white man. A farm was opened up at government expense, buildings erected and the farming
implements of that day provided. A salaried agent was employed to superintend the farm and dispose of the products.
Two mills were erected, one of which was soon swept away by a freshet, but the other was maintained and did good
service for many years. Three of the Indian chiefs, Keokuk, Wapello and Appanoose, had each a large field improved,
the latter on the present site of the city of Ottumwa, But the Indians became idle and listless in their new avocations,
and many of them resorted to dissipation to supply the excitements of former days. A similar effort was made on
the borders of our own county, and with like results, as will appear in another part of this work.
There were some fifteen treaties made with the different tribes of Indians occupying Iowa soil, in whole or in
part, before the Indian titles or claims were fully extinguished. Besides the Sacs and Foxes, whose history has
been given more fully than any others, there were many of the aborigines with whom the government, and, later,
the pioneer settlers, had to deal. The Sioux were the hereditary enemies of the Sacs and Foxes, as were also the
Osages. Constant warfare was maintained between these tribes for many generations. The general government established
a "neutral strip" twenty miles north of the recognized boundary line between these nations and twenty
miles south of it, thus separating them by forty miles of neutral territory upon which they were permitted to hunt,
but should not occupy for warlike purposes. But neither of the parties was very zealous in observing this imaginary
line. This neutral ground extended from the mouth of the Upper Iowa river, on the west bank of the Mississippi,
ascending the Upper Iowa to its west fork; thence up that fork to its source; thence crossing the fork of Red Cedar
river in a direct line to the second or upper fork of the Des Moines river; thence in a direct line to the lower
fork of the Calumet river, and down that river to its junction with the Missouri river. Included in this provision
were also the Chippewas, Menomonees, Winnebagoes and a portion of the Ottawas and Pottawattamies. This "neutral
strip" subsequently became a Winnebago reservation, and part of the Winnebagoes were removed to it in 1841.
By the terms of a treaty agreed to on July 15, 1830, this territory was ceded back to the government and was thus
acquired as a reservation for the Winnebagoes. On the same date and at the same time, the Sacs and Foxes, Western
Sioux, Omahas, Iowas and Missouris ceded to the government a large tract of land, including the western slope of
Iowa, and for which the various Indian tribes interested were to receive liberal annuities for ten consecutive
years, as follows : To the Sacs, three thousand dollars; to the Foxes, three thousand dollars; to the Sioux, two
thousand dollars; to the Yankton and Santie hands of Sioux, three thousand dollars; to the Omahas, two thousand
five hundred dollars; to the Ottawas and Missouris. two thousand five hundred dollars. In addition to these annuities,
the government agreed to furnish some of the tribes with mechanics and agricultural implements, to the amount of
two hundred dollars, and to set apart three thousand dollars annually, for the education of children of these tribes.
This was the second effort of the government towards educating and Christianizing the Indians.
Fort Atkinson was erected by the United .States authorities in 1840-1, and soon afterwards a large farm was opened
in the interest of a portion of the Winnebago nation who had not been sent to the reservation farther south. Fort
Atkinson and its environments had been established as a means of protection from the aggressions of rival tribes,
as well as for the purposes previously mentioned. But like their brethren on the Des Moines reservation, they did
not take kindly to the new life, and after the expenditure of much money and labor in their behalf, the fort and
mission were both abandoned in 1848 and the Indians removed.
The last treaty made with the Sacs and Foxes was ratified on the 28th of March, 1843, at Agency City, by John Chambers,
commissioner on behalf of the United States. By the terms of this treaty these tribes relinquished all claims to
their lands west of the Mississippi, and provided for their removal to Kansas within three years, and all who remained
after the time limit were to move at their own expense. Part of them, removed in the fall of 1845, and the remainder
in the spring following.
Provision was also made by the government for a class of men who had intermarried with the Indians and whose interests
seemed to be identical with theirs. The Sacs and Foxes, having by the terms of a treaty ratified on the 4th of
August, 1824, relinquished their title to all their claims in Missouri, received as part recompense a large tract
of land in the southeast corner of Iowa, which was known as the "Half Breed Tract." This reservation
was designed for the exclusive use of the half-breeds of the Sacs and Faxes, and was held by them on the same terms
as the Indians. This territory subsequently became the source of much litigation and controversy, due to the efforts
of the white settlers to possess it, without, in all cases, rendering proper equivalent. It contained one hundred
and nineteen thousand acres in what is now Lee county.
The "neutral ground," to which reference has been made, was ceded to the Winnebagoes under provisions
of a treaty made in 1832, in exchange for "all their land lying east of the Mississippi." It was also
stipulated at the same time that they (the Winnebagoes) should receive an annuity of ten thousand dollars annually
for twenty-seven years, and that the government should provide them with twelve yoke of oxen and the necessary
fanning implements; establish a school among them, with a farm and six capable farmers to superintend the same,
and that these provisions should continue, with an annual expenditure not exceeding three thousand dollars, for
a period of twenty-seven years.
It seems that the government was somewhat tardy in complying with all the conditions imposed in the treaty above
mentioned, since Fort Atkinson, and the mission, a few miles south of it, were not established until 1840-I. This
reservation held a considerable portion of the present counties of Winneshiek, Clayton and Fayette. No white man
was allowed to settle on it, though there is good evidence that these conditions were violated, in at least one
instance.
LAND GRANTS.
The territory now embraced within the state of Iowa while under Spanish rule, as a part of the province of Louisiana,
was subject to various grants by that nation, the most important of which were the lands granted to Julien Dubuque,
near the city bearing his name; nearly six thousand acres were in like manner granted to Basil Girard, later in
Clayton county, and known as the "Girard Tract." This was occupied by Girard at the time that Iowa passed
from Spain to France, and from France to the United States, and his grant was confirmed by the latter power. Louis
Honori received a grant from the Spanish authorities in 1799, to a tract of land which embraced the site of the
present city of Montrose, and was designated as "one league square," but only one mile square was confirmed
by the United States. Honori's mission, under the Spanish, was to establish an Indian trading post, barter in peltries,
and keep the Indians in true allegiance to "His Majesty."
The first of these grants was made under the jurisdiction of Baron de Carondelet, then the Spanish governor of
Louisiana, while the other two were negotiated under the lieutenant-governor of Upper Louisiana. It has been the
policy of European nations from time immemorial that possession perfects title to any territory, and this vast
domain was given away, bartered and sold without the least consideration for the rights of the original owners
and occupants. But the United States, from the days of William Penn, in Pennsylvania, down through all the various
treaties with the Indians, adopted the conciliatory and humane policy of recognizing their rights and buying their
interests. The purchase of Louisiana Territory, in 1803, was no exception to this rule, and the transaction simply
meant the severance of foreign claims upon the territory and the payment of vast sums of money to the rightful
owners of the soil. In fact, the Indians are today the wards of our country and each tribe receives its regular
annuity.
The vast domain acquired in the "Louisiana Purchase" included the present state of Iowa, as well as territory
extending, practically, from the Atlantic ocean to the crest of the Rocky mountains, and from the gulf of Mexico
to the headwaters of the Mississippi river. This territory was a bone of contention between the three rival nations
at that time contending for supremacy in the United States. The allied powers of Spain and France were at war with
Great Britain, the war between these nations being declared in I796. The United States had demanded from Spain
the free navigation of the Mississippi river, but with only partial success up to this time. But now the Spanish
sought to place the neutral territory of a friendly power in the way of a threatened British invasion of Upper
Louisiana, and the treaty of Madrid promptly granted the request.
The territory acquired from France by the purchase of Louisiana embraced one million one hundred and seventy-one
thousand, nine hundred and thirty-one square miles, and cost the government of the United States about fifteen
million dollars. This cession greatly exasperated Spain, her Florida possessions being threatened thereby. Napoleon
at that time was fast overrunning the continent of Europe, and England, with unwonted severity, was exercising
her always-disputed rights of search and impressment. Napoleon, in retaliation, issued numerous decrees, first
from Berlin, then from Milan, and another from Rambouillet, and between the two, American commerce, for the time,
was destroyed. There was not a shadow of justification in the laws of nations for the action of France in this
respect, since the United States was then a neutral power. But while France and England were equally wrong regarding
their attitude toward the United States, the superior naval power of England rendered her the more formidable as
an adversary. It was this view, we must assume, which influenced Jefferson and his successor to overlook the wrongs
done by France and to seek to direct public sentiment toward England as the real enemy of the United States. However,
it was thought at times that a "three-cornered war" was imminent.
This is barely a hint as to the many causes which induced the United States to declare the second war against Great
Britain. The purchase of Louisiana Territory, brought about through secret conferences between Spain and France,
the very extensive area involved in the purchase, and the strong probability that the United States would hold
and utilize it, caused intense jealousy among the rival powers. At the time of this purchase the United States
was at war with Tripoli, a contest for the privilege of navigating the Mediterranean, which continued from 1801
to 1805; the Seminole war had been in progress on the settlers of Florida and elsewhere in the extreme South for
many years, and culminated with their joining the British in the war of 1812, and their final overthrow by General
Jackson; the North and East was in constant turmoil with the Indians in those localities, and now the struggling
colonies were threatened with destruction by the united efforts of all her enemies. It was unquestionably a most
critical period in our national history.
A long and expensive war with the Seminoles followed the declaration of peace between the United States and Great
Britain, continuing from 1835 to 1842, and costing ten million dollars, and one thousand five hundred lives. The
final subjugation of this powerful tribe led to the purchase of Florida.
The Northwest Territory, as now understood, embraces fourteen states and two territories, reaching from the gulf
of Mexico to the Great Lakes and from the Mississippi to the crest of the Rocky mountains,
The territory which now embraces the state of Iowa was first visited by Europeans in 1673, when two French Jesuit
missionaries, Marquette and Joliet, in passing down the Mississippi, landed near the mouth of the Des Moines river,
and are believed to have been the first white men to set foot on what afterwards became the state of Iowa. These
missionaries were cordially received by the warlike Indians who then occupied the country. The new religion which
they announced, and the authority of the king of France which they proclaimed, raised no hostile remonstrance,
and they were permitted to continue their sojourn to the South. But the grand visions of the future entertained
by these and other French explorers were never realized by that nation. By reason of the discoveries made by Jaques
Marquette and Louis Joliet, France laid claim to the territory, and soon afterward the king named the vast extent
of country west of the Mississippi the province of Louisiana. But prior to 1762 the territory now included in the
state of Iowa was claimed by Spain, England and France. A treaty was carried into effect in 1763 whereby France
was conceded ownership of the disputed territory lying west of the Mississippi river; but while these negotiations
were pending France secretly ceded these possessions to Spain. That nation took formal possession in 1769, and
retained control until 1800, when, under treaty arrangements, it was receded to France and purchased from that
nation by the United States in 1803. Some controversy arose as to the boundaries of the territory and in 1819 the
area was reduced to eight hundred and seventy-five thousand and twenty-five square miles, and so remains at present.
TERRITORIAL CHANGES.
Various territorial complications arose between the time of the Louisiana purchase in 1803 and the organization
of Iowa territory on the 12th of June 1838. In 1804 Iowa was a part of the district of Louisiana and under the
territorial government of Indiana territory. In 1807 it became a part of the territory of Illinois, and five years
later it was attached to Missouri territory, continuing as such until the admission of Missouri as a state, in
1821. From the date last written until July, 1836, Iowa had but a nominal political organization, hut through the
efforts of Gen. George W. Jones, then a delegate in Congress from the territory of Michigan (which exercised jurisdiction
over the territory of Iowa ); Wisconsin territory was organized, and Iowa was attached thereto. In September, 1834,
the Legislature of Michigan had created the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque, and these were later subdivided.
under the domination of Wisconsin territory, into sixteen counties, Fayette county being organized from territory
formerly embraced Dubuque county: but this was, for the most part, only nominal organization, which was perfected
some years later, under authority of the territorial Legislature of Iowa.
No permanent settlements were made in Iowa until after the close of the Black Hawk war, though Julien Dubuque,
a Frenchman, held a mining claim under a grant from Spain, as early as 1788.
For a year or more after the settlers began to flock into the territory of Iowa, there was no established government
in force and lawlessness prevailed to a great extent. The better class of settlers asked Congress to extend the
jurisdiction of Michigan territory over the territory now embraced in the state of Iowa, and this was done and
courts were established in the counties then organized. At that time the two counties then existing embraced the
entire territory of Iowa. Dubuque county embraced all the territory north of a line drawn due west from the lower
end of Rock Island to the Missouri river, and was constituted the township of Julien; and Demoines county included
all territory now in the state south of this line and constituted the township of Flint Hill.
Probably none of the western territory was settled more rapidly than Iowa, and by 1840 there were more than forty
thousand people in the territory. Ten years later the population had grown to nearly two hundred thousand. the
state had been admitted to the Federal Union, and the era of progress had commenced,
In 1838 a controversy arose between Iowa and Missouri over the question of boundaries, and for a time civil war
was threatened. Missouri claimed a strip of territory on the southern boundary of Iowa some eight or ten miles
wide, and extending across the territory. Taxes were levied on this territory and the Missouri officials attempted
to collect them by distraining the personal property of the settlers. Governor Lucas called out the militia of
Iowa and both parties made active preparations for war. The trouble was finally submitted to the supreme court,
through the intervention of Congress and a decision was rendered in favor of the claims of Iowa.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
By virtue of an act of Congress, approved July 4, 1836, Wisconsin territory, embracing within its limits the present
states of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, was taken from that of Michigan and given a separate form of government.
By the same authority and approved on the 12th of June 1838, Iowa territory was created, including, in addition
to the present state, the greater part of what is now Minnesota and extending north to the British line. Iowa was
then designated as "that part of Wisconsin territory lying west of the Mississippi river and north of the
state of Missouri." In 1840, and again in 1842, elections were held in Iowa territory to vote on the question
of holding a constitutional convention, but in each case the proposition was defeated. In 1844 the question was
again submitted and carried. A delegate convention was held at Iowa City, October 7, 1844, and a constitution and
boundary lines of the new state of Iowa were agreed upon. A controversy arose over the question of boundaries,
Congress assuming to make some radical changes, and when again submitted to the people in April, 1845, the proposition
was rejected.
Another constitutional convention was held at Iowa City. May 4. 1846 and a constitution and state boundaries were
agreed to, the boundaries of the state established as at present, this action being in harmony with a statehood
bill then pending before Congress. The constitution was adopted by the people at an election held August 3, 1846,
and on the 28th of December, 1846, Iowa was formally admitted into the Union as the twenty-ninth state.
The question of amending or revising the constitution was agitated in 1854, and the fifth General Assembly passed
an act, approved January 24, r855, providing for the holding of a convention to revise or amend the state constitution.
This action upon the part of the Legislature was authorized by the vote of the people at the general election held
in August, 1856. The delegates met at Iowa City in January, 1857, and formulated the present constitution of the
state, it being approved by the electors at an election weld August 3, 1857. It became operative on proclamation
of the governor. elated September 3, 1857. By the provisions of the new constitution the capital of the state was
located at Des Moines, and the State University was located at Iowa City.
It may be here remarked that the capital question had been previously undecided, the territorial capitol being
located in a two-story frame house at Burlington, which was also the capital of Wisconsin territory previous to
the organization of Iowa territory. This building was destroyed by fire, and future meetings of the territorial
Legislature were held in "Old Zion" Methodist Episcopal church. President Van Buren appointed ex-Governor
Robert Lucas, of Ohio, as territorial governor of Iowa, and in the administration of the affairs of his office
some dissensions arose between the Governor and the Legislature, which was soon elected and convened upon the Governor's
call. But the unqualified or arbitrary veto power was the principal bone of contention. Then the members of the
first Territorial Legislature, convened at Burlington on the first day of November, 1838, was overwhelmed with
work, and each member had views of his own regarding the future needs of Iowa, not the least of which was the location
of the capital. Several locations were chosen by various "commissions" appointed at different times,
the first change being to Jasper county, where five sections of land were donated for the purpose by the federal
government. At this time the Legislature was occupying the unfinished capitol building at Iowa City. But a more
central location had been decided upon, and the state buildings at Iowa City had been donated to the State University.
But Monroe City, in Jasper county, ceased to be the capital of the state, even without removal to that place, and
numerous bills were introduced in the House and Senate looking to the removal, first to Pella, but afterward to
Fort Des Moines, the latter place being decided upon after two adverse decisions by as many sessions of the Legislature.
The Governor approved the relocation on the 19th of October, 1857, and by proclamation Governor Grimes declared
the city of Des Moines the capital of Iowa. Thus Iowa City, after witnessing four territorial Legislatures, and
six meetings of the state Legislature, besides three constitutional conventions, ceased to be the seat of government.
When Iowa was admitted into the union of states there were but twenty seven organized counties in the state, and
about one hundred thousand inhabitants. These were mostly located along the eastern borders, the settlers corning
from Illinois and other Middle states. Following the year 1833 the settlers poured in by the thousands, and by
1835 the whole western margin of the Mississippi, from Missouri almost to the northern boundary of the state, was
comparatively thickly settled. But from the date last written the tide of settlement crept westward and northward
along the Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar and other rivers. The western, or "prairie" portion of the state was
not generally settled until after the Civil war, many returned soldiers finding homes in "Peerless Iowa."
On the 11th of January, 1858, the seventh General Assembly convened at Des Moines, now made the permanent seat
of government.
EDUCATIONAL PROVISIONS
Upon her admission to the Union, Iowa received a grant of five hundred thousand acres of land, in accordance with
an act of Congress, approved September 4, 1841, and under the provisions of another act passed March 3, 1845, the
sixteenth section of each unorganized congressional township was set apart for school purposes. Thus it will be
seen that early provision was made for education, a liberal policy which has been followed throughout the entire
history of the state, this donation to that purpose furnishing the nucleus to a permanent school fund exceeding
four million dollars. The state constitution provides that the money derived from the sale of school lands shall
remain a perpetual fund for the support of schools throughout the state. In addition to the donation of the "sixteenth
section" for school purposes, the act of March 3, 1845, appropriated forty-six thousand and eighty acres of
land to aid in establishing the State University. The "Five Per Centum Fund" is also another source of
revenue to the school fund of the state. By an act of Congress, five per cent of all moneys derived from the sale
of public lands was set apart for school purposes. The interest upon these funds is distributed to the different
counties and forms a part of what is called the "semi-annual apportionment." The principal of this fund
can never be diminished or appropriated to any other use.
The pioneers of Iowa were a brave, hardy, intelligent and enterprising people. The Western states, which have grown
into controlling importance in the Union, have been settled by many of the best and most enterprising people of
the older states. and a large immigration of the best blood of European nations, who, removing to a field of larger
opportunities, blessed with a more fertile soil and congenial climate, have developed a spirit and energy peculiarly
Western. In no country on the globe have enterprises of all kinds been pushed forward with greater rapidity, nor
has there been greater independence and freedom of competition. The pioneers who laid broad and deep the foundations
upon which has been erected the populous and prosperous commonwealth of Iowa, which today dispenses its blessings
to two and a quarter millions of people, were of the class who knew no failure. From the inception of her institutions
Iowa has had able men to manage her affairs, wise legislators to frame her laws, and able and impartial jurists
to administer justice to her citizens. Her bar, pulpit and press have been able and widely influential, and in
all the professions, arts, enterprises and industries she had taken and holds, a commanding position among her
sister states of the West.
Iowa has been very liberal in establishing the higher institutions of learning and in providing for the unfortunate
of all classes. The State University was authorized by the constitution and permanently located .at Iowa City,
Johnson county. The other institutions have been established by acts of the General Assembly, passed at different
times in our history. The State Agricultural College and farm were provided for by the General Assembly of 1858,
and the commissioners appointed to select the site established it at Ames in Story county. In 1862 the Congress
of the United States appropriated two hundred and forty thousand acres of the public domain to the support of this
institution, and the funds arising from the sale of these lands furnishes abundant means for its support. The farm
embraces eight hundred acres devoted to advanced agriculture, the propagation of farm and garden seeds and the
testing of the various strains of livestock, with a view to demonstrating their worth for general purposes on the
farms of the state. The design of the college is to furnish instruction in all the arts and sciences that have
any bearing upon agriculture. Tuition is free to all inhabitants of the state over sixteen years old. Each county
is entitled to send three pupils to the college, and the trustees may designate a greater number, if conditions
permit of a greater enrollment. The management is placed in the hands of a board of trustees, consisting of one
member from each congressional district. The governor and superintendent of public instruction are also constituted
members of this board by virtue of their offices.
The State Normal School was established by act of the Legislature, approved March 28, 1876 and located at Cedar
Falls, in Black Hawk county. The buildings and grounds formerly used for the Soldiers' Orphans' Home were appropriated
to its use, and the school was formally opened in September, 1876. Numerous valuable additions have been made to
the buildings and the original purpose of the school has been faithfully followed in the preparation of students
for the teaching profession. The management
of the institution is in the hands of a board of six directors, elected by the General Assembly in joint session,
two at each regular session of the Legislature.
The College for the Blind was opened for the reception of students at Iowa City, April 4, 1853. Five years later
the location was changed to Vinton, Benton county, where the school still remains, The school was opened at Vinton
in 1862 with a class of forty pupils. It provides free educational advantages to all blind persons of school age
in the state. An industrial department is also conducted in connection with the school for the benefit of all blind
persons who are dependent upon themselves for support.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOMES.
Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer was the moving spirit in the establishn1ent of schools for the education of soldiers' orphans.
In October, 1863 a convention was called to meet at Muscatine for the purpose of devising means of support and
education for the children rendered homeless and dependent through the death of their natural protectors in the
service of their country. This praiseworthy enterprise met with cordial support from the loyal people everywhere,
and soon there were four schools (and homes) in operation at different points in the state. The first was opened
at Lawrence, Van Buren county, and twenty-four orphans were admitted in July, 1864. The home was sustained by private
contributions until 1866, when the state assumed control of it. Schools were soon established at Cedar Falls, Glenwood
and Davenport. These were maintained by the state as long as there was any need for their existence, when the buildings
were mostly devoted to the uses of other state institutions. The home at Glenwood has been appropriated to the
use of the Institution for the Feeble Minded, and that at Cedar Falls to the State Normal School, as has already
been intimated. The home at Davenport is still in existence, the unfortunate self-dependents from all the homes
having been concentrated at that place, and there cared for by the state. The expenditure for this purpose during
the biennial period-1903-5 (the latest official report) -was one hundred and seventy-six thousand dollars. While
under the jurisdiction of the state, these homes were managed by a board of three trustees, elected biennially
at each regular meeting of the General Assembly.
A Hospital for the Insane was authorized by the General Assembly of 1855, but was not opened to receive patients
until March, 1861. The first institution of this character was located at Mount Pleasant, in Henry county, but
additional hospitals have since been located at Independence, Clarinda and Cherokee.
The Deaf and Dumb Institution was established at Iowa City, in 1853, permanently located at Council Bluffs, July
4, 1866, and removed to that place in 1871. Every deaf and dumb child in the state, of suitable age, is entitled
to an education at this institution at the expense of the commonwealth. The instruction given is of the most practical
nature, and the course of study embraces those branches which will be of the greatest benefit to the pupils. There
are several work-shops connected with the institution and its inmates are allowed to learn any of the trades represented.
The managing trustees are elected by the General Assembly, for a term of six years, one at each regular session.
REFORM SCHOOLS
There are two schools for the reformation and education of boys and girls under the age of eighteen who are found
guilty of any crime except murder. The judge of the court in which a conviction has been found may consign the
guilty one to this reformatory institution, and, with the consent of parents or guardians, may bind them out to
service until they attain their majority. A certain amount of labor, varying with the age, strength and capacity,
is required of each pupil. The five trustees having control of the two schools are elected by the General Assembly
for a term of six years.
These institutions are now known as "Industrial Schools," the boys' school being located at Eldora, Hardin
county, and that for the accommodation of girls at Mitchellville, Polk county. The first of these was established
in 1868, in Lee county. In 1873 it was removed to Eldora, and in 1880 the sexes were separated and the school (for
girls) at Mitchellville established.
PENITENTIARIES
In addition to the institutions already mentioned, the state has been obliged to make provisions for restraining
criminals and especially for those guilty of felonies. The first steps towards establishing a penitentiary were
taken by the territorial Legislature in 1839. Directors were appointed to superintend the construction of the building,
which was to be located at Fort Madison, Lee county. The fourteenth General Assembly established an additional
penitentiary in 1873, at Amamosa, Jones county. The expense of maintaining these two penal institutions for the
biennial period, 1903-5, was over half a million dollars, a considerable portion of which, however, was returned
to the state from the sale of manufactured products and convict labor.
THE RAILROAD QUESTION
No one questions but that the building of railroads had much to do with the development of the state of Iowa, as
well as the entire Western country; but many well-informed people likewise believe that the expenditure of the
vast wealth in lands and money in the interests of their building and equipment has never been returned in kind,
and that the roads would have been built, regardless of the liberal policy adopted by the state, counties, municipalities
and even private contributors. Our honored ex-Governor, William Larrabee, LL. D., has ably set forth a very concise
and comprehensive history of "The Railroad Question" in a book bearing that title, and now passing through
the eleventh edition. Unfortunately, the work is too exhaustive for our purpose in giving a brief resume of the
history of early state institutions. But with grateful acknowledgments to the venerable ex-Governor, we gladly
use such portions of his work as are available for our purpose and trust the further history of railroading in
Fayette county to those having charge of that department.
Quoting from Governor Larrabee's book, page 328: "The state of Iowa has not derived that benefit from the
large land grants made to its railroads which her people had a right to expect. In spite of these grants, roads
were built only when there was reason to believe that they would be immediately profitable to their owners. The
land grants enriched the promoters of these enterprises much more than they did the state in whose interest the
grants were presumed to be made." "The total number of acres of land granted by Congress to aid the construction
of Iowa roads is four million, sixty-nine thousand, nine hundred and forty-two. A fair idea of the value or these
lands may be obtained from the fact that the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company sold over half
a million acres of its lands at an average of eight dollars and sixty-eight cents per acre, and the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy sold nearly three hundred and fifty thousand acres at an average of twelve dollars and seventeen cents
per acre. But land grants form only a small part of the public and private donations which have been made to Iowa
roads. Including the railroad taxes voted by counties, townships and municipalities, the grants Of rights of way
and depot sites and public and private gifts in money, these roads have received subsidies amounting to more than
fifty million dollars, or enough to build forty per cent of all the roads in the state. There is no doubt that
the contributions of the public toward the construction of the railroads of Iowa is several times as large as the
actual contributions of their stockholders for that purpose. As a rule these land grants enabled scheming men to
hold the selected territory until a railroad through it promised a safe and profitable investment, and to avoid
the payment of taxes on their millions of acres of land, which in the meantime became very valuable. Other roads
were built in an early day without government aid. They were pushed forward by the current of immigration until
the threatened competition of roads favored by these grants checked their progress. The Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska
road may be cited as a fair illustration. It was projected on the 26th of January, 1856, in the town of Clinton
to be built from Clinton to the Missouri river, via Cedar Rapids. It was opened to De Witt in 1858 and completed
to Cedar Rapids the following year. The road was eighty-two and one-half miles long and was built entirely with
private means, receiving neither legislative aid nor local subsidy. It is more than probable that this road would
at an early day have been completed to the Missouri river had it not feared the rivalry of the subsidized Cedar
Rapids & Missouri road.
"The first survey for a railroad in the state of Iowa was made in the fall of 1852. The proposed road had
its initial point at Davenport and followed a westerly course. It was practically an extension of the Chicago &
Rock Island railroad, which was then built between Chicago and the Mississippi river. On the 22d of December, 1852,
the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad Company was formed, its object being to" build, maintain and operate
a railroad from Davenport to Council Bluffs. The articles of association were acknowledged before John F. Dillon,
notary public, and filed for record in the office of the recorder of Scott county on the 26th of January, 1853,
and in the office of the secretary of state on the first day of February, following. In 1853 the Mississippi &
Missouri Railroad Company entered into an agreement with the Railroad Bridge Company of Illinois for the construction
and maintenance of a bridge over the Mississippi at Rock Island. The work was commenced in the fall of that year,
and the bridge was completed on April 2 I, 1856, it being then the only bridge spanning the Mississippi river.
"The first division of the Mississippi & Missouri railroad, extending from Davenport to Iowa City, was
completed on the first of January, 1856, and was formally opened two days later. .t\ branch line to Muscatine was
completed shortly thereafter. On the first day of July the state of Iowa had in all sixty-seven miles of railroad,
bonded at fourteen thousand, nine hundred and twenty-five dollars a mile, which at that time probably represented
the total cost of construction. The earnings of these sixty-seven miles of road during the six months following
July I, 1856, amounted to one hundred and eighty-four thousand, one hundred and ninety-three dollars, or two thousand,
seven hundred and forty-nine dollars per mile, which was equal to an annual income of about five thousand, five
hundred dollars per mile. On the 15th of May, 1856, Congress granted to the state of Iowa certain lands for the
purpose of aiding in the construction of railroads from Burlington, on. the Mississippi river, to a point on the
Missouri river, near the mouth of the Platte river; from the city of Davenport, Iowa, by way of Iowa City and Fort
Des Moines, to Council Bluffs; from Lyons City northwesterly to a point of intersection with the main line of the
Iowa Central Air Line railroad near Maquoketa, thence on said line running as near as practical to the forty second
parallel across the state; and from the city of Dubuque to the Missouri river near Sioux City. The grant comprised
the alternate sections designated by odd numbers and lying within six miles of each of the proposed roads. Provision
was also made for indemnity for all lands covered by the grant which were already sold or otherwise disposed of.
"The wisdom of the land-grant policy has been questioned. When these grants were made it was believed by many
that railroads would not and could not be built in the West without such aid. While others did not share this opinion,
they at least supposed that land grants would greatly stimulate railroad enterprise and lead to the early construction
of the lines thus
favored.
"The price of all government lands lying outside of the land-grant belts was one dollar and twenty-five cents
per acre. To reimburse the public treasury for the loss resulting from these grants, the price of lands situated
within the land-grant belts was advanced to two dollars and fifty cents per acre, practically compelling the purchasers
of the even-numbered sections of land, instead of the government, to make the donation to the railroads.
"Designing men soon saw the advantages which the situation offered. They combined with their friends to organize
companies for the construction of the land-grant roads, built a small portion of the proposed line, to hold the
grant, and then awaited further developments, or rather, the settlement of the country beyond. There are those
who believe that the doubling of the price of government land within the belt of the proposed land-grant roads
greatly retarded immigration and with it the construction of roads. They hold that. had no grant whatever been
made to any railroad company and had equal competition in railroad construction been permitted, the Iowa through
lines, instead of following, would have led, the tide of immigration."
Restrictions regarding space, and the further fact that this is to be a county history instead of one devoted to
the state of Iowa, precludes the possibility of following the interesting and instructive details of railroad history,
as so fairly and ably presented by Mr. Larrabee. It would be extremely interesting to present the history of transportation,
the building of turnpikes in early days, the canals of the East and Middle West, the inventions tending to introduce
"steam navigation," and some of the minutiae relating to early railroading in Iowa; but we must be content
to give a brief synopsis of a few of the early conditions, as has been the case in speaking of other state institutions.
But there is one railroad in which the people of Fayette county have more than a passing interest, in that it furnished
us the first outlet to the markets of the world. Reference is here made to the building of the McGregor & Western
railroad, which passed through so many "evolutions" that the original promoters did not recognize it!
This company was the successor of the McGregor, St. Peter & Missouri River Railroad Company, which was organized
in 1857, and the construction of the road was commenced at McGregor in that year. Large local subscriptions were
taken along the proposed line and every local encouragement possible was given to the enterprise. The company prosecuted
the work of grading for a couple of years, when the McGregor, St. Peter & Missouri River Railroad Company was
allowed to pass through the process of foreclosure, as was customary with many other roads at that time."
The old stock company was completely wiped out and new owners came into possession of the property, reorganizing
under the name of the McGregor Western Railway Company. N early all the early investments of Iowa people were thus
confiscated by the same class of men who now cry out loudly against confiscatory measures." But this and other
companies failed to build the road until the Legislature had made contracts with, or offered the stimulus of a
large land grant, to four different corporations, the last of which was the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
Company, who completed, and now operate, the road. The land grant in this case was "every alternate section
of land designated by odd numbers for ten sections in width on each side of the proposed road. "Ten years
after the construction of this road had commenced at l\1cGregor it had only reached Calmar, in Winneshiek county,
and more than twenty years were required, in the desultory manner employed, to build it through as far as Sheldon.
It was completed as far as Algona in 1870, and this point remained the western terminus until it passed into the
hands of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, and was completed by that company as far as Sheldon, in
1878.
While the particular branch of this road now under discussion does not touch any part of Fayette county, it passes
within a mile or two of the northeast corner, and is even nearer to the northwest corner of the county. Then it
was the first railroad to which our people had easy access, and, though it did not greatly stimulate trade in this
section, it did improve the McGregor market, to which most of our surplus products were hauled with teams. It was
also an earnest as to the possibilities of the future in Fayette county.
There were in Iowa, at the taking of the last state census (1905), nine thousand eight hundred miles of railroad,
with an average assessed value for the state of five thousand nine hundred and thirty seven dollars per mile. The
gross earnings for the entire railroad systems of the state was five thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight dollars
per mile. There are thirty-two corporations, or railroad companies, subject to many changes of names, hence a list
of names for this year would be incorrect for another period.
COAL OUTPUT.
There were six million, five hundred and seven thousand, six hundred and fifty-five short tons of coal produced
in I904--the latest official report-from twenty-two counties in the south-central and southwestern portions of
the state. Monroe county occupies first place in the production of this staple, the output for that county being
two million and sixty-one thousand, eight hundred and seventy-seven tons in 1904.
GYPSUM.
Though Iowa occupies third place in the production of this commodity, Michigan and New York alone exceeding it
in the amount produced, yet the production is confined almost exclusively to Webster county. The value of the product
for 1904 was four hundred and sixty-nine thousand, four hundred
and thirty-two dollars.
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
This organization was effected in the spring of 1854 by the election of Hon. Thomas Claggett, of Keokuk, president,
and the selection of three directors from each county that then had a local agricultural society in operation.
In the fall of 1854 the society held its first annual fair, in the town of Fairfield, Jefferson county. From that
day until the present the State Agricultural Society has been successful. It is fostered by the state, and receives
an annuity of one thousand dollars to aid in operating expenses, the balance of such funds being contributed in
entrance fees, the sale of privileges, etc.
The annual election of officers and directors is provided for by law, and occurs on the second Wednesday of each
year at the capital of the state. Reports of the proceedings of the society are required by law to be published
each year, and the secretary of state has charge of the distribution. The board of directors are also required
to make an annual report to the governor of the state, and otherwise conduce to state supervision.
IOWA CHILDREN'S HOME ASSOCIATION.
This organization, brought into existence within comparatively recent years, is also fostered by the state, though
the expenses of operation are mostly paid by private contributions. Through the efforts of philanthropic men and
women in every section of the state, much good has resulted in relieving the wants of homeless children and placing
them in proper homes for their training and education.
POPULATION
According to the latest state census (1905), the population of Iowa is 2,210,050, which represents a decrease of
.9 per cent since 1900. With this single exception, there has been a gradual increase in population at each census-taking
the period from 1838, when the population was 22,859, to the present time.
Of the present residents of the state, there are 149,496 persons of school age. i. e., between the ages of five
and twenty-one years. These include, colored, 4,318; foreign-born, 16,430; foreign parents, 259,509, and 469,239
have native parents.
In 1905 there were 460,840 men subject to military duty, i.e., able-bodied between the age of eighteen and forty-four
years. Of these, 4,046 are colored and 66,205 are foreign born. Over seventy-one per cent of the total population
of Iowa are native born, the number being 1,379,981. Illinois contributed the greatest number of present inhabitants
born outside of Iowa, or over seven per cent., while Ohio is second, with nearly four per cent., and New York and
Pennsylvania each contributed a little over two per cent.
IOWA'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CIVIL WAR
From a population of less than seven hundred thousand, she furnished forty-seven regiments of infantry, nine of
cavalry and four batteries of artillery, besides numerous enlistments in the regular army and navy, and in organizations
from other states. One pioneer of Fayette county, and who is now living here, enlisted in the Fifth California,
and probably others were equally as zealous and disinterested in giving prompt response to the country's call,
regardless of where the credit for enlisting was placed. No state in the Union furnished as great a percentage
of population for the preservation of the Union as did "Peerless Iowa." Her muster-rolls included almost
eighty thousand names.
In commemoration of the heroic deeds of her soldiers on the battle-fields of the South, the state has during the
last ten years appropriated a quarter of a million dollars to the building of monuments at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Andersonville
and Chattanooga. These monuments were dedicated by the Governor in November, 1906.
Of this vast army enlisting from the state in the sixties, but ten thousand, four hundred and eighty-eight are
now living within its boundaries, though some have removed to other localities, but the casualties of war and the
ravages of time are responsible for almost the entire shrinkage. There are twenty-five thousand, five hundred and
sixty-nine veterans of the Civil war now living in Iowa, many of whom became residents of the state under the liberal
homestead laws extended to them soon after the close of hostilities.
But enlistments, alone, did not determine the extent of Iowa's patriotism, as will be told more fully in the department
devoted to county history. The sudden, though not unexpected, declaration of war, found the national government,
as well as the states, wholly unprepared for an insurrection of such magnitude. The enlistment of men was the least
part of the trouble. Arms and military equipments had been largely appropriated to the use of the organizing Confederates,
whose leaders were in position to devastate the country before leaving their seats in Congress, in diplomatic circles
or in the United States army. The national treasury was also depleted through the same agency, and we found ourselves
on the verge of a great war, confronting an enemy already organized and equipped, without the necessary means of
arming and uniforming a single division.
In this dilemma, the state was authorized at a special session of the Legislature, convened May IS, 1861, to secure
a loan of eight hundred thousand dollars to meet the extraordinary emergency. Previous to this authorization, however,
the First Regiment had been clothed with extemporized "uniforms of all colors, shapes and materials, mostly
the result of the volunteer labors of the loyal women in the towns near the regimental rendezvous. The same was
done, in part, for the Second Infantry, but the completion of their outfit was forestalled by the assumption of
authority by the state and the means secured through the loan.
Ex-Governor Samuel Merrill, then of McGregor, at once took a contract to supply three regiments with complete outfits
of clothing, agreeing to accept, in payment, state bonds at par. The terms of this contract were complied with
to the letter and within one month a considerable portion of the clothing was delivered from the manufacturers
in Boston to the rendezvous at Keokuk, and the remainder was forthcoming within a few days. But the color was gray,
and the Confederates were uniforming with that color! The war department had decided upon blue as the uniform color
for the national troops. Other states had sent forward troops uniformed in gray, hence the uniforms were condemned
by the war department, and this involved much apparently needless expense, though the reader will readily recognize
the confusion and danger arising from two hostile armies meeting in deadly conflict when clothed in the same colors,
and but little difference in their respective flags. The state of Iowa was reimbursed, in later years, for the
cost of these uniforms and other irregular war expenses.
The loyal women, all over the state, at once took in hand the care of the families of soldiers at the front, and
organizations were effected in every county for the collection of funds and the distribution of necessaries among
the indigent families. Nor were the women alone in this loyal and philanthropic work, but the non-combatants at
home were equally zealous in raising funds for soldiers' families. Parties of "lint-scrapers" were held
weekly, in almost every neighborhood, the purpose being to prepare hospital supplies to be sent to the hospitals
where sick and wounded soldiers were cared for, and many a patient has been made happy by the timely arrival of
a box of palatable "goodies" from the hands of those he loved.
The United States Christian Commission was an early organization for promoting the spiritual, as well as the temporal,
comfort of disabled soldiers in the field. Millions of dollars were collected and dispensed through this one agency,
and no doubt it was instrumental in saving many lives. The Sanitary Commission was another very useful and effective
agency, both in camp and about the general hospitals, their mission being, especially, to look after sanitary or
"health" conditions among the soldiers, either sick or well, The work of these beneficent organizations
was carried on without a dollar of expense to the general government, and few of those engaged in it, except nurses,
ever received any money recompense for their services. But the great heart of the nation was enlisted in a common
cause, and it is a pleasure to all survivors of the contest to know that the efforts at the front were so ably
seconded by those who could not share in the glories of the battle-field.
But the culmination of all our military glory comes from the knowledge that our services, after the lapse of nearly
half a century, are still shown tangible appreciation by the nation we served. No nation on the globe has ever
been more liberal in pensioning its soldiers and their dependents than the United States. While this is true of
the general government, the states, not to be outdone in their devotion and loyalty to the veterans, have, without
a single exception, we believe, erected homes to care for those dependent upon their own efforts, in order that
they may be nearer to their friends than in the National Homes, of which there are enough to supply all demands.
The state has generously remitted the taxes of soldiers, within certain limits, and the "poor-house"
can no longer be a menace to the over-sensitive but indigent veteran.
Iowa did not pay any bounties for enlistments, though toward the close of the war small bounties were paid by some
cities and counties.
In response to the call of July 18, 1864, a draft was made in Iowa, not because she was behind in her quota of
men, but because of the necessities of the government, which, for the time being, changed the apportionment in
this and other states. There were one thousand, seven hundred and twenty-seven men raised by the draft in r864.
One regiment of three-months men and four regiments and one battalion of infantry composed of one-hundred-days'
men, comprised the irregular, or short-term enlistments from the state. Some five thousand men, at times of threatened
invasions or border troubles, served under irregular enlistments or as emergency militia. N early eight thousand
men re-enlisted in the field, thus rounding out a term of about four years in actual service. With the exceptions
here enumerated, the term of service was three years, but the war was brought to an end before the latest enlisted
men had served out the full term for which they enlisted.
Two Iowa cavalry regiments served the entire three years on the Western plains, where they confronted hostile Indians
from 1863 to 1866. Some of these companies were among the last to return to their homes.
Upon final settlement after the restoration of peace, it was found that Iowa's claims against the federal government
were fully equal to the amount of her bonds, issued and sold during the war to provide the means for raising and
equipping her troops sent to the field and to meet the inevitable demands upon her treasury in consequence of the
war, This is a record of which but few of the older and wealthier states can boast; since most of them had heavy
war debts for many years after the close of hostilities.
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
In the Spanish-American war the state furnished four regiments of infantry, two batteries of field artillery, a
signal company, and a company of colored immunes. The United States navy was also represented. Fayette county having
a representative in the person of Doctor Pattison, of Oelwein, who was a lieutenant.
A few veterans of the Mexican war are still living within the state, Fayette county having one who is a veteran
of two wars.
IOWA NATIONAL GUARD
Within comparatively recent years there has been a complete reorganization of the old "State Militia,"
which is now designated as the National Guard of the several states. The organization and discipline is much more
thorough than formerly, while the equipment and emoluments are correspondingly improved.
The Iowa National Guard now consists of four regiments of infantry, of twelve companies each, and designated as
the Fifty-Third, Fifty-Fourth, Fifty-Fifth and Fifty-Sixth Regiments. The headquarters of these are respectively,
Cedar Rapids, Muscatine, Ames and Sioux City. Each regiment is divided into three battalions in command of as many
officers, ranking as majors. All of these regiments were called into active service during the war with Spain,
the Fifty-Fifth serving about eighteen months, while the others served lesser periods. The governor of the state
is the commander-in-chief, while he is assisted in the performance of his military duties by a staff of officers
designated as adjutant-general, quartermaster-general, surgeon general, judge advocate, inspector-general, chief
of engineers and chief signal officer. These general officers have assistants, while there are seven "aides"
appointed or detailed as assistants to the commander-in-chief, most of whom rank as lieutenant-colonels. Rotation
in these appointments may account, in part at least, for the long list of "colonels" to be found in almost
every county throughout the state.
The adjutant-general ranks as brigadier-general, and is the chief executive officer of the National Guard, upon
whom devolves a very large part of the detail work of that organization, the making of reports, and carrying out
the orders of the commander-in-chief. He has charge of the State Arsenal and grounds, and all other property of
the state kept or used for military purposes.
Under this department there are various organizations, with the purpose, in most cases, of enforcing or strengthening
the power of existing laws. Among these may be enumerated the state railroad commissioners, the executive council,
bureau of labor statistics, board of parole, food and dairy commissioner, state printer and binder, fish and game
warden, department of agriculture, state veterinary surgeon, board of veterinary examiners, Iowa State Library,
state librarian, historical department, state mine inspectors, commission of pharmacy, custodian of public buildings
and property, board of health, hotel inspector (operative since July 4, I909), geological board, library commission,
Iowa state highway commission, hall of public archives, Horticultural Society, hoard of law examiners, state oil
inspectors, superintendent of weights and measures, director of weather and crop service, Iowa Academy of Sciences,
the State Historical Society (established by law in the year 1857), educational board of examiners, Iowa State
Teachers' Association (in existence since May 10, 1854). The official heads of most of these various departments
are appointed by the governor, and in most of those not so constituted the governor is designated as a member of
the board by virtue of his office. The purpose of establishing these departments, in connection with the state
government, will be readily understood from the titles of the offices created. In addition to the foregoing, there
are a number of minor offices, the duties of which are not so universally applicable to all the people of the state.
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